AI therapy can only be a temporary fix for mental health, caution experts
Scrolling through social media, you will spot tweets that say, 'Therapy is expensive, so ChatGPT don't let me down.' And in Chennai, young users who turn to Generative AI for their mental health support are opening up about why the shift is happening.
'When I'm in distress, I tend to use ChatGPT because accessibility to a therapist is difficult during times such as an anxiety attack,' says Vidya, 24, a Young India fellow from Chennai. She uses Gen AI alongside professional therapy. Ms. Vidya also says that it is a catalyst to hear what you want to hear at the moment, and many rely on it because the tone is empathy laced.
A 23-year-old Economics student, who prefers anonymity, says turning to ChatGPT in moments of urgency, such as recalling grounding techniques during anxiety, has been helpful. 'Professional support is often paid, and me being a student and looking for mental health help secretively was not a feasible option,' adds the student.
On the other hand, Maria Antony, consultant psychiatrist, currently based in Kancheepuram, says that Gen AI delivers what the users 'want' to hear, rather than what they truly need. 'Solely relying on Generative AI comes with its own set of pitfalls. It makes you more dependent on the app for therapy, where the goal of actual therapy is to help individuals become independent,' she explains. 'There are some types of AI being developed for therapy which is a shade better than using ChatGPT. In those cases, when used under the supervision of a qualified psychotherapist could be a way forward,' she adds.
Keerthana S., 24, a content creator from Chennai, says she first tried ChatGPT for mental health out of curiosity but soon found herself turning to it for support. 'Many of us grew up in families where emotional transparency wasn't encouraged. So, opening up to a therapist felt intimidating,' she says. But she's aware of its limits. 'ChatGPT can give the wrong advice because it only responds to what you type and when you're suffering, it's hard to explain yourself clearly,' she adds. 'I also worry about privacy. A therapist is legally bound to protect your information but AI isn't.'
When asked about the 'empathetic tone' of Gen AI, Dr. Antony explains that a therapist is not supposed to be your friend but a space to discuss difficult emotions and thoughts, untangling and piecing them out. 'In-person therapy sessions require a lot of mental strength. But when you are in therapy and feel overly comfortable, as is often the case with AI, I don't think that qualifies as therapy in the first place,' says she.
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